DR Congo · Africa
How many people die in the DR Congo every day?
In the DR Congo, about 2,329 people die every day, roughly one death every 37 seconds. That is about 850,000 deaths a year, 1.4% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 12th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 60.7 years and the leading cause of death is lower respiratory infections. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
2,329
Deaths per year
850,000
Life expectancy
60.7 years
Population
102,262,808
Death rate
8.3 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Lower respiratory infections
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
DR Congo
60.7
World avg
72.8
-12.1 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
DR Congo
8.3
World avg
7.7
Deaths in the DR Congo by time period
| Per hour | 97 |
| Per day | 2,329 |
| Per week | 16,301 |
| Per month | 70,833 |
| Per year | 850,000 |
What people die of in the DR Congo
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in the DR Congo in 2023 was pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections, which accounted for 10% of all deaths, about 249 a day. It was followed by malaria and tuberculosis.
Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have increased about 3-fold since 2000, from about 11,542 to 36,271 a year. Deaths from measles have fallen by 48% since 2000, from about 69,028 to 36,037 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 90,980 | 249 | 10% | +35% |
| 2 | Malaria | 86,498 | 237 | 9.5% | -18% |
| 3 | Tuberculosis | 67,074 | 184 | 7.4% | -28% |
| 4 | Stroke | 51,587 | 141 | 5.7% | +132% |
| 5 | Preterm birth complications | 46,564 | 128 | 5.1% | +38% |
| 6 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 36,406 | 100 | 4% | -47% |
| 7 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 36,271 | 99 | 4% | +214% |
| 8 | Measles | 36,037 | 99 | 4% | -48% |
| 9 | COPD | 23,144 | 63 | 2.5% | +134% |
| 10 | Birth asphyxia and birth trauma | 22,475 | 62 | 2.5% | +30% |
Deaths in the DR Congo since 2000
WHO estimates that about 910,065 people died in the DR Congo in 2023, 17% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 777,228 deaths |
| 2010 | 704,543 deaths |
| 2019 | 828,717 deaths |
| 2023 | 910,065 deaths |
Life expectancy in the DR Congo since 1950
A baby born in the DR Congo in 1950 could expect to live about 38.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 61.9, a gain of 23.7 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 38.2 years |
| 1980 | 45.5 years |
| 2000 | 51.9 years |
| 2010 | 56.4 years |
| 2019 | 60.2 years |
| 2023 | 61.9 years |
The DR Congo compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, the DR Congo ranks 31st for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | 2,329 | 60.7 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Egypt | 1,589 | 70.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Ethiopia | 2,055 | 65 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Tanzania | 1,123 | 66.2 | HIV/AIDS |
| South Africa | 1,397 | 62.3 | HIV/AIDS |
| Kenya | 959 | 62.1 | HIV/AIDS |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in the DR Congo every day?
In the DR Congo, about 2,329 people die every day, or roughly one death every 37 seconds. That adds up to about 850,000 deaths a year, 1.4% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in the DR Congo?
Lower respiratory infections is the leading cause of death in the DR Congo. It is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, and most deaths from it could be avoided with prevention and treatment. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections first in 2023, with 10% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in the DR Congo?
Life expectancy at birth in the DR Congo is 60.7 years, 12.1 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 175th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in the DR Congo high?
The DR Congo records about 8.3 deaths per 1,000 people each year, above the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.